The Batman will be unlike any previous adaptation of the iconic hero. Robert Pattinson is intent on making sure of that, apparently.
Coming after greats such as Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, and Ben Affleck, Pattinson has a massive cape to carry. The Twilight actor assures fans, however, that his Bruce Wayne will be as “crazy and perverse” as previous independent film roles on his resume. Such film credits include Cosmopolis, High Life, and The Lighthouse.
“Out of all the big roles that I knew of in that kind of realm, ” he explained, “there was just something about [the role of Bruce Wayne.]” Sadly, however, his comments on the progress of the movie have been sketchy due to Reeves’s need for secrecy. However, photos have surfaced of Robert as Wayne on a motorcycle with a backpack. There have also been reports that Pattinson is having difficulty putting on added muscle for the role of Batman.
What is of concern, however, is his comments to his portrayal. Crazy and perverse? Bruce Wayne’s sanity is often questioned given his penitence to dress up as a bat to fight crime. In fact, writers have portrayed Batman as his actual self, while “Bruce Wayne” is the true façade. He has adopted the notion that his life as Bruce Wayne ended in Crime Alley along with his parents. To that end, Bruce Wayne can be seen as driven, obsessive, and at times ruthless. But perverse? Could Pattinson be going the same maverick route with the role as Joaquin Phoenix recently did in the blockbuster Joker? What kind of Batman, therefore, can we expect when that first teaser airs? Time will tell.
What has been confirmed is the focus of The Batman will be on The Dark Knight Detective’s formative years. Its script draws influence from the Jeph Loeb miniseries Batman: The Long Halloween, which was largely a murder mystery with the creation of one of Batman’s trademark villains. Casting choices – besides Robert Pattinson as Batman – that had made massive waves. Pattinson is joined by Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin, Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/Riddler, Alex Ferns as Commissioner James Gordon, Peter Sarrsgard as District Attorney Gil Colson, and John Turturro as Carmine Falcone.
The Batman is due out in theaters June 25, 2021.
